One of the main gist in town has
been the anticipated defection of Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Akwa
Ibom state, from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives
Congress (APC). Many didn’t see it coming.
He has met with President
Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo ahead of a reported rally to
formally welcome him into the party’s fold.
The interesting thing, however,
is that he is leaving the opposition party not long after the PDP welcomed political
heavyweights and is close to regaining the majority at the senate. Why is
Akpabio’s defection beginning to look like the transfer of the season?
Below are key factors that best
offer insight:
CONSOLATORY VICTORY FOR APC?
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| Akapabio with Buhari in London |
The last time such shake-up
occurred was in the buildup of the 2015 elections; with the defectors leaving
the PDP into the welcoming hands of the newborn APC.
With the ruling party at the
receiving end now, a move as that of Akpabio’s could offer a temporary relief
and, as best captured in the words of Lai Mohammed, could mean a one-one
goalless draw for both parties.
The consolation makes more
meaning with the circumstances surrounding the move brought into the picture.
Unlike the case of other politicians whose defections were foreseen, no one
anticipated that of Akpabio; not the PDP in the very least. And not when the
party is seeking to cement its foundation ahead of the 2019 election.
INROAD INTO SOUTH-SOUTH
 |
| In the days ahead, those seated with Akpabio here would be referred to as former members of his party, that’s if the report of his defection turns out being true |
Like in the case of Saraki, the
senator’s defection is certainly going to reflect in the political rhythm of
Akwa Ibom where he has a strong base. There is no doubt Akpabio remains one of
the key political figures in Akwa Ibom, and arguably the most prominent
governor the state has had. Since moving
to the senate in 2015, he still dictates, to a large extent, how things play
out in the state’s political theatre and enjoys massive support from both Akwa
Ibom citizens and lots of other Nigerians.
And, you would agree, a win for
APC in the state in 2019 is going to rub off on the whole of south-south.
Currently, the PDP holds sway in five of the six states in the south-south –
Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, Cross River, with only Edo being controlled
by the APC.
Securing Akwa-Ibom is going to
have a huge impact on the PDP control in the region. The state had a
considerably huge voting strength – 1,644,481 registered voters during the 2015
poll – something big when compared to other south-south states like Bayelsa (605,637)
and Cross River (1,144,288) and some south-west states like Ekiti (723,255) and
Osun (1,378,113).
SENATE MINORITY LEADER TODAY,
SENATE PRESIDENT TOMORROW?
 |
| Akpabio with ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice-President Namadi Sambo at the 2015 electioneering campaign |
Coincidentally, Akpabio currently
leads the PDP lawmakers in the upper legislative chamber; a position he has
been in with unquestionable allegiance and loyalty from his party members. His
strong influence over his colleagues in the opposition party is in place
without doubt, coupled with the fact that he is also well respected across
party lines.
When he eventually decamps to
APC, he might join hands with other top-ranking APC senators to oversee the
alleged plot to impeach Saraki and ensure the APC regains its lead in the red
chamber. With his streetsmart intelligence, who knows, the senator might as
well end up as the senate president if the plot eventually sees the light of
the day, assuming he has the backing of the party on this.
STAUNCH OPPONENT OF BUHARI… AND ALL OF A SUDDEN?
No doubt politics is really
insane. Strictly a game of interest. One minute, you are one party’s or
individual’s nightmare, opposing virtually everything they do and say; and the
next day, you are in bed with them; with all criticisms and opposition
forgotten.
 |
| Rotimi Amaechi, director-general of Buhari campaign, is one man who would be excited over Akpabio’s defection |
Remember when as the chairman of
the PDP governors’ forum, how the senator was opposed to most of
then-presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari? In the buildup of the 2015
election and even afterwards, he was a staunch critic of Buhari and his agenda.
On one occasion, he had said the
governors in the party are worried about the “age of Buhari’s ideas” if he
emerges as president. He had said: “There is nothing wrong with his age, but we
are extremely concerned about the age of his ideas, we are concerned that a man
who could not take charge when he was in his 40s but rather bequeath to
historical infamy a regime named after two individuals, Idiagbon-Buhari Regime
,instead of one person as used to be the case.”
The criticisms did not get any
better when he moved to the senate and emerged the minority leader. Usually
outspoken, he had kept the current administration on its toes regarding many of
its policies while speaking on the floor of the senate. In fact, he once said
the administration of Nyesom Wike in Rivers state has executed more projects
than that of Buhari. Interesting how it is all changing now.
Akpabio’s defection is the
equivalent of one of those once-in-a-while type shaking the transfer market;
big money and numerous caps to his name. He comes with loads of experience in
the kind of politics the APC needs ahead of the election. With his influence in
the senate, the APC might as well be on its way to regaining the leadership of
the upper legislative chamber – and maybe, having its way into the south-south.
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Trash! Just an epicurean hedonist that can't win his ward in his state bar rigging. Lest you forget, APC is still in deficit at the upper chamber; hence, Saraki's impeachment a mirage.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what you write to promote a criminal that once approved #100m pension for himself, he can never be influential in PDP-owned south-south.
We all know the position of Edo as defacto south-west since time immemorial.
Wealth and political understanding of the real East is immeasurable and can't be compared to the Judas Iscariot attitude of south-west(religiously and culturally disoriented).
Anything goes for them especially when it can becloud their cowardice.
Write till eternity, Anangs know themselves and who's not one of them.